The Terry Kennedy-trained mare lines up in the galloping feature, the 1600m Publicans Cup, on today’s dual-code programme. Princess Brook may look the logical first choice for punters but they may need to bear in mind recent history before placing their bets.
White Robe Lodge trainers Brian and Shane Anderton have trained the last two winners of the race in Gallant Boy in 2016 and Tommy Tucker in 2015.
Gallant Boy returns today to defend his Beaumont Racing Club feature crown, making him a logical challenger to the favoured Princess Brook.
Though he brings his strong track and distance record with him, there is one major change he must overcome.
Winning jockey Courtney Barnes weighed in with 54kg after last year’s win, but today fellow White Robe jockey Jacob Lowry must return to scale with 59kg, allowing for his 1kg claim.
Gallant Boy’s 6kg turnaround comes after he won just one race since his Publicans Cup win last year, a 1600m rating 85 event at Ascot Park in December.
Lowry’s claim also gives Gallant Boy another plus: he will carry half a kilo less than his main rival.
Princess Brook will haul 59.5kg, with Chris Johnson rebooked to ride the mare after the pair scored for a 1600m Wingatui win earlier this month.
All of the factors making up today’s feature race have Jacob Lowry thinking he can beat Princess Brook aboard Gallant Boy.
"I can’t see why not. She goes up two kilos and they’ve given her the outside gate. It is not going to be easy for her."
Lowry has been impressed with Gallant’s Boy’s track work at White Robe Lodge this week.
"He is pretty much bang on, really. He has come through his last run well."
Some may see Lowry riding three horses at 60kg-plus today and think he has had a relaxed time during his recent suspension, but a closer look sees he is booked to ride two horses at 55.5kg. That means his heaviest-weighted ride, All Spice in race 3, will carry somewhere near 7.5kg of weights in his saddle. Though he believes that is a big disadvantage compared with carrying the same weight in the form of a heavier jockey, Lowry does give All Spice a good chance of winning.
"If the real All Spice turns up, he has always got to play a part [in the finish]."
One of the most appropriate wins could come in race 5 on the harness side of the meeting today.
Champion galloping trainer Brian Anderton will watch his pacer Delightful Jay between lining up his team of thoroughbreds.
The horse is trained by Graeme Anderson, who has scored training wins in both codes. Delightful Jay’s driver, Dexter Dunn, is not quite as dual-coded, but he has been seen on horseback winning saddle paces in the past.
- Jonny Turner
